How to Find the Best Budget Robot Vacuum

A bargain robot vacuum can provide a fantastic value. But beware that it may cost more than you expected in maintenance: detangling fur from brushes, clogged inlets and emptying tiny dust bins can quickly turn your dream of automating cleaning a chore.

For many the most affordable robot is the iRobot J7 Combo. It offers the same hands-off experience for less than half the cost.

Suction Power

Some models that are priced at this level have sufficient suction for basic vacuuming, but others might require help from a handheld nozzle to get deep into cracks and crevices. If you live in a home that has mostly hard flooring or carpet, a budget-friendly robot vacuum will likely suffice. If you have a variety of floors, have rugs or pets that shed, you will have the best results using an advanced robot vacuum.

Some models with a budget price include a mopping feature and a water tank, which increases their flexibility. The more recent Dyson R7050C for instance, has very good scores in CR's tests of navigation and a large bin of 770ml, but it is louder than many of the other robots we've tested, and does not have mopping capabilities. The more compact Eufy Roborock Q5 Pro, however, is surprisingly quiet and has an automatic emptying dock. It also comes with water tank, powerful 5,500-pascal suction power and a large bin that you can fill with cleaning solution to make it an efficient mopping device. You can manage the Q5 Pro via the smart app to vac or mop in a room, a sequence of rooms or an entire area and create no-go zones and customize mopping and suction settings for different rooms.

The budget Shark ION is a great pick for those looking for something simple, affordable and reliable. It's not as advanced as other models, having a basic app and minimal mapping capabilities, but has excellent navigation and cleaning abilities. It's also one of only one or two robots that can differentiate between hard flooring and carpets. The 300ml dustbin is only empty once every 30 days.

Take a look at some of the top models within this price range If you're looking for something more sophisticated that can vacuum mop, vacuum, and even create a map to help you avoid obstacles. The iRobot Roomba 650 and 750 have very strong suction power, clever combs for pet hair and other dirt, and in-app scheduling and voice control via your smart home assistant. Samsung Cleanbot SV8000 offers a great cleaning performance for a reasonable price.

Navigation Efficiency

A budget robot vacuum can be just as effective as the more expensive models in the event that it is able to navigate your home and avoid obstacles. To measure the effectiveness of navigation, our lab technicians installed a tracking device to monitor a robot's movements through a multiroom test home and evaluate its ability to identify the rooms it needs to clean in a given time, avoiding pitfalls such as power cords, rugs and furniture. Additionally, we examine how fast robots can move over different types of terrain for homes, including stairways and transitions between different types of floor.

The most affordable robot vacuums come with navigation systems that enable them to clean a room efficiently without wasting time or running into obstacles. They're all equipped with mapping capabilities, which are vital for a complete house cleaning. However, even models that do not have mapping can be used to effectively cover a space therefore it's essential to weigh the cost against the features you need for your home.

We also examine how easy it is for robots to cross over thresholds in the home, such as the heights of a door sill and a sofa. A good budget robot should be able to move over these obstacles, and some offer settings that adjust suction power for different kinds of floors. We also consider whether the robot is compatible with smart home technology and is able to be controlled remotely using an app or voice commands.

The iLife V3s Pro is a fantastic example of a robot that is budget-friendly that offers basic mapping capabilities and other smart features. It's also quite affordable. It can be controlled by the iRobot App and comes with an automatic return feature that returns the robot to its base once the battery runs low and continues where it left off.

The iLife V3s Pro does not have the advanced object-avoidance technology that is found on a variety of high-end robots. However it does have live cameras that transmit a grainy feed to your smartphone so that you can watch it work. The cameras can also spot obstacles like stairs and other steps and alert you if the robot encounters them. The iLife however, employs random navigation instead of a method designed to prevent objects from being stuck against furniture legs. It might not be able get around a tight spot or a leg of a chair as a robotic floor scrubber system with the ability to map.

Cleaning Performance

When you're shopping for a robot vacuum, it's crucial to balance cost with performance. Some budget models don't have features, such as mapping, but they will still do an excellent job of cleaning your home. Pay attention to the size and capacity of the robot's dustbin. You'll need enough space to accommodate all the waste that robots collect such as hair, dirt, and pet dander.

You'll need a machine that can get rid of dirt and stains from carpets too. We test all models in the ZDNET robot vacuum chart to determine their ability to lift dirt and hair from carpet. The best models come with a brush designed to dig into the fibers and pull out debris.

Budget models are good at cleaning up small messes from bare floors or low-pile floor carpets but they struggle to get rid of bigger pet hairs and debris from carpets with higher pile. These models usually have less suction power, but they can still be effective in removing particles from tight spaces like corners and underneath furniture.

The iLife V3s Pro is the best robot vacuum budget model for vacuuming and has scored top marks in our tests because of its ability to remove hair and dirt from carpets. It is also one of our quieter models and is easy to use. It comes with a suction hole that is able to collect debris instead of pushing it through the bar. It can also adjust the power to match any surface. It comes with a sidebrush that has three bristles to push hair and debris into the robot's path. However, it is not as effective at picking up fine dust.

Look for a model with both vacuum and mop functions, such as the Combo j9 Plus. It can vacuum and mop simultaneously and you can alter the settings for each room. It's more expensive than other budget robot vacuums on our list, but it has the advantages of having a forward-facing camera that allows more precise mapping and better obstacle avoidance for things like power cords and cat piss.

Maintenance

Robot vacuums are useful however they come with price. They require regular maintenance, from emptying their dustbin to replacing filters and cleaning the brush bar. They may also get caught in cords, or fall off the stairs.

The best budget robot vacuums ease these problems by requiring minimal management from the user. The top models come with navigation systems that stay clear of objects and keep themselves clear of dangers, including strangling electrical cords and dropping food. Sensors are used to map rooms and create maps that tell them where they've cleaned.

Even the cheapest robotic vacuums can give a decent clean if you give them a chance Don't be deterred by the high cost of higher-end models. Our top budget picks are from top OEMs such as iRobot Roborock Dreame. You can be assured that they've been designed with attention to detail and are built to last.

If you're willing more, consider mopping with a robot. These machines can scrub floors using a wet cloth and remove the most stubborn stains. They can also be used in combination with a mop pad to tackle difficult jobs, like dried coffee.

The TP Link Tapo RV30 plus is the best budget mopping robot in our roundup. It has the clean, fussless appearance of a home hub but the performance and features of a top-rated robot vacuum cleaner best buy, including LiDAR navigation. In our tests it was able to navigate without a hitch. RV30 was capable of moving without bumping mindlessly into furniture and create detailed floor plans that it can use for future runs. It's the only budget robot we've tested that have this feature, though the iRobot Roomba also has similar capabilities in mapping and has an in-app setting that guides you through the process step-by step.

If you decide to go with the top rated robot vacuum-rated robot or a less expensive option, make sure you maintain your robot regularly. It's a good idea empty the dust bin after each cleaning task and to clean the filter if one is present (check your owner's manual or the manufacturer's website for more information). Replace the battery when necessary and verify its Wi-Fi connectivity.